03/14/2025
18 months. Shes been ‘ours’ for 18 months.
In some ways it feels like decades ago & in others just yesterday. In July of 2023, we set foot in this home for the first time as potential buyers & I knew with every ounce of my being we’d call it home someday. I didn’t understand it nor could I have predicted the chain of events that led us to closing on this home ON our 21st wedding anniversary or the sacrificial trust & ‘chance’ would take on my ‘gut instinct’ to leverage everything we’ve worked for in our almost-22 years of marriage on this single investment. I’m not sure there is a purer, more specific way to speak my personal love language. The hours, sweat equity, prayers & tears that we have BOTH invested in this home & this process is both humbling & slightly embarrassing. Even crazier- over just the next 3 months, we will likely wrap up this huge reno/addition project, move one kiddo home from his freshman year at NCSU, celebrate the graduation of another from high school AND sell/ clean out/ & move from the place we have all called home for almost 14 years. To be honest, I wouldn’t change a thing - except, well, maybe everything… This domino effect began with my mom’s illness, loss/estate & our beloved Lighthouse Lodge. If I could go back in time & have my way.. of course, I - we - would choose her. BUT, that wasn’t His version of our story & so here we are, desperately trying to be good stewards of the gifts bestowed upon us. I can’t really wrap my mind around where we have been much less where we are going. I’m just immensely grateful for the support, love, encouragement & prayers of so many along the way. If all goes as envisioned, this fall we will toast to 23 years of marriage in THIS ‘new-old’ home as each of our guys are living their best lives away at college. Mind blowing, heart warming, soul filling. All of it. Thank you for being here, cheering us on, loving us through the lows & celebrating each of the crazy milestones along the way. We are blessed beyond measure & hope to pay it forward every chance we get.